Charlie Akers Memorial Scholarship

I am not the most fortunate in life but I always consider that others have it worse off than I do. I always try to give back in ways that I am able to. For example, not too long ago there was a homeless man just asking for a dollar. My friends kept moving and said no but I stopped and gave the individual $10. That was the only $10 in cash that I had at the time that I was going to use for my lunch. I knew that I was better off than he was skipping lunch so I paid it forward. Another instance, I was watching a football game, and a man without a home was coming around asking if he could draw a picture of someone for money. Everyone else ignored him but myself. I let him draw a picture of me that turned out amazing! We talked for a good thirty minutes, and he was telling me his story and how he ended up homeless. Long story short, I gave him $40 for the drawing. Then I walked with him to the bus stop, I have not saw him since but I still have the portrait he drew of me. The world it too full of hate to continue that cycle. It is important to think about others first sometimes, you never know what people have and are going through. Kindness in todays world can go a long way. By kindness, I do not just mean giving someone money. Kindness can simply mean, giving a smile, complementing someone, sitting down and being a listening ear for someone. Everyone is capable of being selfless and kind, you just have to understand that you may need someone to be selfless towards you one day so pay it forward! My dream is to become a police officer, and break the stigma that the police force carry, while also fulfilling ALL the standards every police officer should meet. I plan to make a positive impact on the world by giving back to my community through protecting individuals and their rights to the fullest. Along with being a positive role model for other African American children, and students that are aspiring to join the police force. I want my family, friends and community to be inspired by the ideas, and impact I make as a police officer and as a 1st generation, black, college graduate. So, during my education I want to be sure I pay attention in class, do everything to the best of my ability, and study hard so that I am able to fulfill those goals to give my to my community. I am also a college athlete, I enjoy volunteering for youth football programs to help them with their practice to advance their football skills.